Holiday Plays

Let’s face it. The holidays are crazy enough without taking on a stressful, challenging play project. Haven’t you had this thought as a teacher or drama mentor but then couldn’t let go of the temptation to put together a show for the holiday season? Of course you have. I know all about this internal struggle, because I’ve been there…many times. Well, consider your problem solved with my Holiday Play Script Collection!

These playscripts will not have you sitting up late at night, stressing out, and soothing yourself with a mountain of sugar cookies. They are flexible. They are easy to pull together. They have proven themselves to be successful on stage. And they are, best of all, fun!

Flexibility

Let me emphasize the flexibility of these holiday playscripts. Considering we’re talking about a time of nasty winter colds and holiday craziness, these scripts have the terrific advantage of being able to expand or contract according to your particular cast size. If your intention is to recruit every kid who crosses your line of sight, then you’ll have an easy time adding extra roles to any of these playscripts. On the other hand, if you’re faced with half your cast getting struck down with a winter flu resembling the black plague, no problem. Many of these scripts can afford to have roles doubled up, tripled up, or even dropped completely. Several of them would still work beautifully even with entire scenes removed from the middle. I can’t emphasize this enough: these playscripts are flexible. They can be adjusted for both the expected and unexpected changes in your cast number. And the really good news? I give you all sorts of specific ideas as to how to adjust the cast number in the production notes of each play.

In addition to a flexible cast size, there’s also a wide variety of part sizes available in each of these holiday playscripts. I included big, medium, small, and even non-speaking roles in almost every one, because when it comes to a holiday show, you’re likely to be including all kinds of kids. So, from the extremely shy to the boldly confident, everyone will have their opportunity to shine on stage.

Short, Snappy Scenes

I was also very purposeful in the overall construction of these holiday playscripts. I broke them down into short, snappy scenes that are performed against a single backdrop. One stage set-up, short blocks of time for rehearsal, and you’re in business. I also designed them to be performed in under an hour—another feature that seems to be appreciated by everyone in the frenzy of the holiday season or any teacher that doesn’t want to hog a school’s entire holiday program line-up.

On the first page of any script, you’ll notice I broke down the cast by size. I have found this format to be the most helpful when it comes to casting—or choosing a script to begin with. You’ll also see that every scene starts on a new page and lists the characters in that particular scene. If you have a big cast, you may want to copy just the pages needed for particular characters rather than the whole play for everyone. This little trick comes in handy if you feel like you’re wasting your life (and money) away in front of the copy machine.

Easy on the Budget

When I wrote these holiday playscripts, they were for a school with virtually no budget for things like drama productions. Most of our shows needed to be pulled off with borrowed clothing, bedsheets, and lots and lots of cardboard. So you’ll find that the items being used on stage are very simple, and what would be spent on a few gingerbread lattes should cover your prop and costume needs at the thrift store. And one final perk: if you’ve got the costume pieces for one of the holiday playscripts, you’ve got what you need for almost all the others. Throw that Santa costume, those reindeer horns, and that bunch of elf hats in a box, and you’re going to be set for the following year!

As I mentioned, with every script, I’ve included production notes on casting your characters, which includes specific suggestions as to how the cast can be upsized or downsized, depending on your needs. I also give you some advice on how to set up your stage, possibilities for props, and ideas for costumes. I’ve even noted what specific holiday goodies are mentioned in each script in case you want to plan them to be your refreshments afterwards.

Because I was once a teacher, I also created an organizational grid for each playscript that I know will be really helpful. It lists all of the characters, their respective costumes, and the props they’ll each need. I guarantee it will be a valuable tool for you and any person who is helping you with costumes and props. I want you to feel organized. I want you to feel no stress. I want you to be able to direct this play with one hand while calmly sipping a mug of hot cocoa with the other.

Low Stress and Fun

And besides being low-stress, I want you to know these holiday playscripts are truly fun. You’ll find yourself chuckling at the same lines even into dress rehearsal. The kids will love their parts. And the folks in the audience who expected to be yawning in their seat watching another “kid’s holiday show” will get their jingle bell socks knocked off. So be prepared. You’ll get hugs and handshakes. You’ll be begged to do another one. You’ll run out of cookies. But hey, if you can handle all of that fame and fun, pick out something from my Holiday Playscript Collection and let the merriment begin!

In need of a holiday play with Santa, a holiday play with Mrs. Claus, a holiday play with elves, or a holiday play with reindeer? Then check out my extensive middle school Holiday Play collection! It’s chock full of entertaining playscripts for kids. And while they’re shows for middle schoolers to perform, I promise you they’ll delight an audience of any age.

FUN MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAYS

Are you looking for a fun play, a funny play, a flexible play, an easy play for middle school? Then you’ve come to the right place! Do you need a sixth grade play, a seventh grade play, an eighth grade play that’s guaranteed to entertain? You won’t be disappointed here on the Fun Middle School Plays website. There’s a wide variety of scripts for middle school drama groups.

FREE SHORT COMEDY SKITS

Maybe you’re just looking for some short free plays for a middle school drama class. I offer you a whole set of free short comedy skits! They’re a great tool to build drama skills with adolescents and prepare them for the stage. Just download my collection of ten easy comedy skits for middle schoolers here on the website and enjoy.

FREE PLAY DIRECTOR'S TIPS

Are you new to drama with adolescents? Are you a director in need of some advice...some wisdom...some reassurance? Then dive into my free play Director’s Tips for new middle school play directors here on the website. You can read through them here on the site or simply print them off for later perusal...absolutely no charge!